The Great Irish Famine Was a Turning Point in History

In the early 1800s, the impoverished and rapidly-growing rural population of Ireland had become almost totally dependent on one crop. Only the potato could produce enough food to sustain families farming the tiny plots of land the Irish peasants had been forced onto by British landlords. The lowly potato was an agricultural marvel, but staking the lives of an entire population on it was enormously risky. Sporadic potato crop failures had plagued Ireland in the 1700s and early 1800s. In the mid-1840s, a blight caused by a fungus struck potato plants across all of Ireland. The failure of essentially the entire potato crop for several years led to unprecedented disaster. Both Ireland and America would be changed forever. The Irish Potato Famine The Irish Potato Famine, which in Ireland became known as The Great Hunger, was a turning point in Irish history. It changed Irish society forever, most strikingly by greatly reducing the population. In 1841, Irelands population was more than eight million. It has been estimated that at least one million died of starvation and disease in the late 1840s, and at least another one million immigrated during the famine. Famine hardened resentment toward the British who ruled Ireland. Nationalist movements in Ireland, which had always ended in failure, would now have a powerful new component: sympathetic Irish immigrants living in America. Scientific Causes The botanical cause of the Great Famine was a virulent fungus (Phytophthora infestans), spread by the wind, that first appeared on the leaves of potato plants in September and October of 1845. The diseased plants withered with shocking speed. When the potatoes were dug up for harvest, they were found to be rotting. Poor farmers discovered the potatoes they could normally store and use as provisions for six months had turned inedible. Modern potato farmers spray plants to prevent blight. But in the 1840s, the blight was not well understood, and unfounded theories spread as rumors. Panic set in. The failure of the potato harvest in 1845 was repeated the following year, and again in 1847. Social Causes In the early 1800s, a large part of the Irish population lived as impoverished tenant farmers, generally in debt to British landlords. The need to survive on small plots of rented land created the perilous situation where vast numbers of people depended on the potato crop for survival. Historians have long noted that while Irish peasants were forced to subsist on potatoes, other crops were being grown in Ireland, and food was exported for market in England and elsewhere. Beef cattle raised in Ireland were also exported for English tables. British Government Reaction The response of the British government to the calamity in Ireland has long been a focus of controversy. Government relief efforts were launched, but they were largely ineffective. More modern commentators have noted that economic doctrine in 1840s Britain generally accepted that poor people were bound to suffer and government intervention was not warranted. The issue of English culpability in the catastrophe in Ireland made headlines in the 1990s, during commemorations marking the 150th anniversary of the Great Famine. Britains then-Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed regret over Englands role during commemorations of the 150th anniversary of the famine. The New York Times reported at the time that Mr. Blair stopped short of making a full apology on behalf of his country. Devastation It is impossible to determine precise numbers of the dead from starvation and disease during the Potato Famine. Many victims were buried in mass graves, their names unrecorded. It has been estimated that at least half a million Irish tenants were evicted during the famine years. In some places, particularly in the west of Ireland, entire communities simply ceased to exist. The residents either died, were driven off the land, or chose to find a better life in America. Leaving Ireland Irish immigration to America proceeded at a modest pace in the decades before the Great Famine. It has been estimated that only 5,000 Irish immigrants per year arrived in the United States prior to 1830. The Great Famine increased those numbers astronomically. Documented arrivals during the famine years are well over half a million. It is assumed that many more arrived undocumented, perhaps by landing first in Canada and walking into the United States. By 1850, the population of New York City was said to be 26 percent Irish. An article titled Ireland in America in the New York Times on April 2, 1852, recounted the continuing arrivals: On Sunday last three thousand emigrants arrived at this port. On Monday there were over two thousand. On Tuesday over five thousand arrived. On Wednesday the number was over two thousand. Thus in four days twelve thousand persons were landed for the first time upon American shores. A population greater than that of some of the largest and most flourishing villages of this State was thus added to the City of New York within ninety-six hours. Irish in a New World The flood of Irish into the United States had a profound effect, especially in urban centers where the Irish exerted political influence and got involved in municipal government, most notably in the police and fire departments. In the Civil War, entire regiments were composed of Irish troops, such as those of New Yorks famed Irish Brigade. In 1858, the Irish community in New York City had demonstrated that it was in America to stay. Led by a politically powerful immigrant, Archbishop John Hughes, the Irish began building the largest church in New York City. They called it St. Patricks Cathedral, and it would replace a modest cathedral, also named for Irelands patron saint, in lower Manhattan. Construction was halted during the Civil War, but the enormous cathedral was finally finished in 1878. Thirty years after the Great Famine, the twin spires of St. Patricks dominated the skyline of New York City. And on the docks of lower Manhattan, the Irish kept arriving. Source Ireland in America. The New York TImes, April 2, 1852. Lyall, Sarah. Past as Prologue: Blair Faults Britain in Irish Potato Blight. The New York Times, June 3, 1997.

It and Ethical Issues Questions - 2597 Words

Ethics and Social Issues Final Exam Essay Questions ESSAY QUESTIONS 1. Essay Question: Rule Vs. Act Utilitarianism (Utilitarianism) Suppose that you were wondering whether you, as a doctor, should hug a patient who is in tears. Give an ethical analysis of pros and cons from an act utilitarian point of view. Then give an analysis from a rule utilitarian point of view. 2. Essay Question: (Case Scenario -- Utilitarianism) Suppose that Rosa moves away her children out of town because, based on the information she has gathered, she believes the move will be the best for the children and larger family in the long run and she wants to do her duty by them. Imagine the two scenarios. Scenario 1: The results of the action are†¦show more content†¦Why/why not? 15. Essay Question: Rights responsibilities (Children) Suppose that we said that any pregnancy, no matter how painfully produced, is a gift from the Universe to our human community. If, after a period of time in which the child is raised by birth parents alone, it becomes clear that, despite a strong bond between the child and caregivers, the cost/benefit analysis for the child is very poor, how should the other family, immediate community/larger society respond? Should the child be taken away from the parents? 16. Essay Question: Sexual Morality Ethical Theories Suppose that two gay men or two lesbian women wanted to get married, what kind of argument could a Utilitarian give on the subject? What kind of argument could a believer in Divine Command give? What kind of argument could a Kantian give? 17. Essay Question: Sexual Morality Ethical Theories Women’s and men’s sexual behavior is judged differently in most societies. That is, women are often condemned for sexual behavior that is tolerated, or even admired, in men. For example, women and men are judged inequitably on the number of partners they have or the conditions under which they choose to engage in sexual behavior. In extreme cases, the genitals of young African women are sometimes sewn shut to guarantee virginity (and other reasons). Can this inequity inShow MoreRelatedIt and Ethical Issues Questions2610 Words   |  11 Pages Ethics and Social Issues Final Exam Essay Questions ESSAY QUESTIONS 1. Essay Question: Rule Vs. Act Utilitarianism (Utilitarianism) Suppose that you were wondering whether you, as a doctor, should hug a patient who is in tears. Give an ethical analysis of pros and cons from an act utilitarian point of view. Then give an analysis from a rule utilitarian point of view. 2. Essay Question: (Case Scenario -- Utilitarianism) Suppose that Rosa moves away her children out of town becauseRead MoreQuestions On Ethical And Legal Issues929 Words   |  4 PagesChapter Summary 4: Ethical and Legal Issues Chapter four was very informative and explain a lot about the legal issues and rules that are placed in the psychology field. The text put in perspective the importance of ethical and legal issues and how interns should be aware of policies. It also talked about confidentiality and release of information. It is very imperative that a client’s information stays private for legal matters. Ethical and law codes were created so that clients can have securityRead MoreQuestions On Ethical Issues Investigation909 Words   |  4 PagesEthical Issues Investigation Situation 2 1. What should Essex do? Essex should find out the proper reason why exactly James broke the law. Personal calls can be attended only in the break timings which the rule clearly states. As the rule is clear and Kate Essex should follow the guidelines of the companies rule and inform the higher officials whom so ever it may be concerned. 2. What, if any, ethical principles help guide decision making in this situation? The problem arousedRead MoreEthical Healthcare Issues There are questions about transplant allocation in regards to the four900 Words   |  4 PagesEthical Healthcare Issues There are questions about transplant allocation in regards to the four major ethical principles in medical ethics: beneficence, autonomy, nonmaleficence and justice. Beneficence is the â€Å"obligation of healthcare providers to help people† that are in need, autonomy is the â€Å"right of patients to make choices† in regards to their healthcare, nonmaleficence, is the â€Å"duty of the healthcare providers to do no harm†, and justice is the â€Å"concept of treating everyone in a fair manner†Read MoreBusiness Analysis : Business And Marketing World839 Words   |  4 PagesNowadays, ethical consumption is getting more interested by some customers. With a rising concern of ethical customers, it is important for the firm to understand these customers and develop strategies to serve their need (Peattie, 2001). As supported by Pedersen and Neergaard (2006), the firms have to adjust themselves in coherent with customer ethical consumption as more people are expected the firm to act ethically (Creyer Ross Jr, 1997). As a result of serving these needs, firms’ ethical behaviourRead MoreThe Importance of Critical Thinking and Ethical Decision Making on Social Work1149 Words   |  5 Pagesthat in order for someone in the social work profession to serve vulnerable populations it was intended to serve, it is imperative to use critical thinking and ethical decision making in tandem to achieve the optimal result. The balance is a delicate and often complex. It requires a close examination or critically thinking, of all the issues not just within yourself, but the community as a whole, the individuals within it, and the client population that the social work serves. The social work professionRead MoreAn Analysis of Quinns Accepting Manipulation or Manipulating Whats Acceptable?1578 Words   |  6 Pagessoftware that specializes in photographic manipulation in journalism. Early on, he contends, Technical advancement has helped photoj ournalism be more effective in may ways, but has also created ethical challenges in making deception expeditious and less transparent. (Quinn, 2004, 1) The article explores this ethical quandary. Digital technology, photographic software, and digital manipulation are tightly integrated into modern photojournalism, among many other industries and fields. Quinn challenges readersRead MoreResearch Methods Of Health And Social Care1726 Words   |  7 Pagesimplications with the research, which takes place. Many research methods include ethical issues which have to be considered when conducting research. Ethical issues need to be considered when research is being conducted, in all methods of conducting the research information. One method of research is using interviews. For example, when using interviews in a care home, when conducting research, many ethical issues can be raised. Interviews not only take place face-to-face, but also can happen onRead MoreEssay on Litigation - Study Questions979 Words   |  4 PagesChapter 1 Review Questions: Question #3. Describe the functions of the members of the legal team. The lawyer is the lead in the legal team and has passed the bar examination and have a license to practice law in their respective state(s). In larger firms, the lawyers can be assigned as partners and associates. The partner has actual ownership in the firm whereas the associate are usually on salary as an employee, not being an owner in the firm. The supervising attorney in a large firm is responsibleRead MoreEthical Ethics And Ethical Issues1311 Words   |  6 Pagesprovides readers with an in-depth analysis of ethical theories, legal and ethical issues which gives them an opportunity to practice real life ethical issues that are frequently complex and thought provoking. Readers are further implored to examine their personal, moral and ethical value systems and codes they work from in an attempt to assist them in developing an informed ethical conscience for making sound moral and ethical judgments. The author presents ethical dilemmas throughout the book which readers

Case Study of Alex-Free-Sample for Students-Myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss the Case Study of Alex. Answer: Introduction of the case The analysis is based on case study of Alex who has been working in the IT field for the last 10 years. He has been performing different roles including IT Manager, Business Analyst and Programmer. Alex has recently joined Initech Corp. in the post of the Production Manager of the company. The company already has an IT Manager who manages the network infrastructure and the server of the company. However, the employees are not happy with the working process of the IT Manager. The directors of the company are strict about the privacy issues of the company. The IT Manager has therefore imposed many rules regarding the use of the computer systems of the company on the programmers. The point of view of Paul is that the restrictions are necessary to prevent wrong usage of the systems against the interest of the company (Burmeister et al. 2014). The ethical, professional and legal issues related to the case The issues related to this case study are that the IT Manager of the company has restricted the employees from performing their own duties and restricted them from the usage of their own computers. The confidentiality agreements are signed by the employees of the organization before they join, hence the issue related to trust on the employees is hampered by the activities of the IT Manager (Clarke 2016). Ethical issues in the case related to the ACS Code of Ethics The decision of the CEO does not correspond with the following values as stated by the ACS Code of Ethics (Acs.org.au 2017), The Enhancement of Quality of Life - The company has violated this code of ethics as they are not trying to enhance the quality of life of the employees in the organization. The work of the programmers has been made more complex and this hampers their personal lives as well. Honesty The company does not trust the integrity and honesty of the programmers even after their agreement with the organization before joining it. Professional Development The company does not strive for professional development of its staff. The reason is that the company is providing hindrance in the work of the employees by not giving them any independence regarding their work process and thereby restricting them from achieving their goals (Ferguson, Thornley and Gibb 2016). Issues related to the Code of Professional conduct stated by ACS According to the Code of Professional Conduct as stated by ACS, in relation to the above stated values considered by the organization, the following points related to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are applicable (Acs.org.au 2017), Code violated 1.2.2(c) The company is not trying to align their policies with the perceptions and the likes of the employees working for them and providing hindrance in their work process. Code violated 1.2.2(d) The company is not taking any steps regarding the improvement of the job satisfaction of the employees, their ability to achieve the goals and the way they control the process of work. Code violated 1.2.5(c) The company is not following this principle and not taking any actions regarding the motivation and encouragement of the employees. On the contrary, the restrictions that were imposed on the programmers was hampering their work process. Code violated 1.2.5(d) The organization is therefore not supporting the professional development of the employees and is not aware of the different needs of the employees. Code violated 1.2.6(c) The company is not taking any steps regarding the opportunities that are provided to employees based on their skills and they are prevented from achieving their goals and work in an independent manner. Recommendations related to the case study The recommendation related to this case study is that Alex should consult the management of the company regarding the issues of the programmers. The steps taken by Paul have restricted the work process of the employees and this can further lead unethical steps taken by the employees to protect their own interests. This can be said as the employees have already taken such steps like uploading and downloading the source codes. This can be prevented by allowing the employees access to their own computers and giving them freedom to work. The activities of the employees however need to be checked to protect the interest of the company. References Acs.org.au (2017).Search Results. [online] Acs.org.au. Available at: https://www.acs.org.au/search.html?q=ACS+CODE+OF+PROFESSIONAL+CONDUCT [Accessed 29 Nov. 2017]. Burmeister, O., Al-Saggaf, Y., Schwartz, M. and Johnson, L., 2014. Internet resources to help Australian ICT professionals identify and solve ethical challenges. ACIS. Clarke, R., 2016. Big data, big risks.Information Systems Journal,26(1), pp.77-90. Ferguson, S., Thornley, C. and Gibb, F., 2016. Beyond codes of ethics: how library and information professionals navigate ethical dilemmas in a complex and dynamic information environment.International Journal of Information Management,36(4), pp.543-556.

Modernization an Example by

Modernization by Expert Jayjay1 | 14 Dec 2016 How does modernization manifest itself in U.S. society? Need essay sample on "Modernization" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The concept of modernization is one that encompasses the idea of a shift in the type of economy and the location of the workforce. It involves the development of the society from farming and domestically driven economies to ones that are driven by industrialization and characterized by a large population of urban dwellers who facilitate the industrial workforce. This type of shift necessarily takes with it a high level of rural-urban migration. It also involves a shift from home employment to factory employment and the development of large organizations. Undergraduates Frequently Tell EssayLab specialists:I'm not in the mood to write my paper. Because I want to spend time with my friendsProfessional writers suggest: Get Your Essay Before The DeadlineCheap Essay Writing Service Write My Essay Custom Writing Custom Writing Reviews Cheap Custom Writing Service According to Max Weber, modernization is a phenomenon that is largely in opposition to tradition (Bellah, 1999). Social psychological theories have posited a certain relationship between the economic development and modernization of a country on the one hand, and the way in which its power dynamic is structured on the other (Inkeles, 1972). From the changes that occur as a result of modernization often follow certain socio-political trends that necessitate a shift in the relationships among those persons who live within that society. This shift has a significant effect on how power is exerted between persons who perform in different traditional roles. The manifestation is in a lessening of the close-contact social relationships between inpiduals (such as family members and religious leaders) and, conversely, an upsurge in what might be termed secondary relationships (such as employee-boss relationships). This has come about as a direct result of the modernization that has occurred in several countries, of which the United States is a major representative. What are the consequences of modernization? Modernization has necessarily led to the creation of large organizations which are often concentrated in dense urban centers. These organizations are significant in the positions that they hold within the economic sector. They represent the entities that control the major portion of the wealth created within the nation, and as a result, have tended toward the exertion of more and more influence over the actions of inpiduals who depend upon them financially (Inkeles, 1972). Because of their role in training people to fill money-earning positions, educators too have noticed an increase in their influence compared with that of parents and even religious leaders, and this has also occurred as a result of modernization (1972). As this has taken place, these same inpiduals have demonstrated that such primary relationships as parental and sibling relationships have begun to influence their lives and actions to a decreasing extent. It is this that has been the major driving force behind the shift of power evident in the post-industrial era of modernization (Zhang & Thomas, 1994). Is modernization a world-wide trend? While the extent to which it occurs does vary depending on the culture of the society, this evidence of modernization can be seen in all the developed countries and in many developing countries (Inkeles, 1972; Zhang & Thomas, 1994). The developed countries of the world all demonstrate an explosion of corporations and urbanization since the industrialization that occurred within the 19th century. Despite the distance between European countries such as France or Britain and the United States, the social, economic and geographic structure of the society demonstrates how modernization trends have designated urbanization as being the most practical method of facilitating the post-industrial explosion of co-operative commerce. What such countries also have in common is a wealth of inpiduals who break (or slacken) ties of proximity to their families in order to make connections within the corporate world. The influx of persons into urban centers has created such conditions in which anonymity is widespread and people are held less closely to the standards and traditions of their parents. Conformity, as a result, has become far less evident in the behaviors of inpiduals, especially the youth in developed and even developing countries. However, in such countries as China where political and academic leaders had already exerted a high level of influence over inpiduals, this trend has necessarily been less evident (Zhang & Thomas, 1994). Is modernization likely to continue in the U.S.? The likelihood of modernization to continue in the United States seems very high. The modernization trends described above have been witnessed in the historical development of the United States and much of the wider world. The future of modernization in this country can therefore be gauged from the progress of the power relations that exist between persons in this society. Modernization has also proven itself to be effective in the financial empowerment of not just the corporate moguls but also of the countless inpiduals that work for them (Zhang & Thomas, 1994). Furthermore, though many urban centers of industrialism do exist across the country, the nation cannot be said to be completely saturated, as still more persons exist that continue to make themselves available for employment within these centers. In addition to these persons, rural people continue to flock to urbanized areas. Also contributing to this continued trend of modernization is the fact that the resources within the United States that are used to facilitate this (though finite) have not yet been completely consumed, and non-indigenous resources can be obtained from other countries. In light of this, entrepreneurs are likely to continue creating new manufacturing businesses that will grow up into corporations. These are likely in turn to expand their operations into new areas that are likely to grow into new urban centers. Which theorist best reflects your perceptions of modernization? Max Webers theory of modernization as one that is in conflict with tradition does appear to hold up to scrutiny when viewed in a practical light. The breaking of ties with ones family that occurs on such a large scale in rural areas (upon inpidual migration to urban centers) appears to facilitate subsequent breaks with traditions of the family. Also, the distance over which parents and other primary relations have now to exert their influence does point toward a reduction in the power that such relations have over inpiduals. In moving from parent, home and town to the sphere of influence of (and to dependence on) of the industrial leaders (corporate bosses), people adjust their focuses to conform to the wishes of those who have the ability to influence their financial security. Educators too share this increased level of influence, it would seem, because of the emphasis placed on education for improving ones quality of life. While modernization is not inherently politically, socially, or traditionally influential, Weber seems to be right in his suggestion that the phenomenon creates a context in which those persons who have operated in traditional roles of influence lose their power. Yet it seems also to have created for the inpidual a situation of freedom and anonymity (especially in urban centers) in which those who choose may release themselves even further from those traditions that had once dictated how they live. References Bellah, R. M. Cultural identity and Asian modernization. Cultural Identity and Modernization in Asian Countries. Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics, Kokugakuin University.Available: http://www2.kokugakuin.ac.jp/ijcc/wp/cimac/bellah.html Inkeles, A (1972). Modernizing influences: Causes and consequences of inpidual change insix developing countries. Centro-Sociale, 19, 106-108. Zhang, J. Modernization theory revisited: a cross-cultural study ofadolescent conformity to significant others in mainland China, Taiwan, and the USA.Adolescence. Winter. Available:http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2248/is_n116_v29/ai_16477245/pg_1

The eNotes Blog Top Ten Self-Deprecating Quotes fromAuthors

Top Ten Self-Deprecating Quotes fromAuthors The literary world is a pretentious place, right? You wouldnt think so judging by these ten quotes from authors playfully poking fun at their success. Who knew the Paris Review was such a popular venue in which to be self-deprecating? Know of any others? Tell us in a comment below. 1. Vladimir Nabokov Lolita  is famous, not I. I am an obscure, doubly obscure, novelist with an unpronounceable name. - in  The Paris Review, 1967 2. Mark Twain I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week sometimes to make it up. –  The Innocents Abroad 3. Ray Bradbury A conglomerate heap of trash, that’s what I am. But it burns with a high flame. - in  The Paris Review, 2010 4. Kurt Vonnegut Slapstick  may be a very bad book. I am perfectly willing to believe that. Everybody else writes lousy books, so why shouldn’t I? What was unusual about the reviews was that they wanted people to admit now that I had never been any good. The reviewer for the Sunday  Times  actually asked critics who had praised me in the past to now admit in public how wrong they’d been. My publisher, Sam Lawrence, tried to comfort me by saying that authors were invariably attacked when they became fabulously well-to-do†¦ I had suffered, all right - but as a badly educated person in vulgar company and in a vulgar trade. It was dishonorable enough that I perverted art for money. I then topped that felony by becoming, as I say, fabulously well-to-do. Well, that’s just too damn bad for me and for everybody. I’m completely in print, so we’re all stuck with me and stuck with my books. - in  The Paris Review, 1977 5. Stephen King I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries. 6. David Sedaris At the end of a miserable day, instead of grieving my virtual nothing, I can always look at my loaded wastepaper basket and tell myself that if I failed, at least I took a few trees down with me. - Me Talk Pretty One Day 7. Jonathan Lethem Listen, you can’t imagine what a freak I was. I worked in used bookstores as a teenager. I grew up with hippie parents. I lived in a ten-year cultural lag. At  all  times. I had not the faintest idea what was contemporary. When I got to Bennington, and I found that Richard Brautigan and Thomas Berger and Kurt Vonnegut and Donald Barthelme were not ‘the contemporary,’ but were in fact awkward and embarrassing and had been overthrown by something else, I was as disconcerted as a time traveler. The world I’d dwelled in was now apocryphal. No one read Henry Miller and Lawrence Durrell, the Beats were regarded with embarrassment. When all that was swept away, I stopped knowing what contemporary literature was. I didn’t replace it; I just stopped knowing. - in  The Paris Review, 2003 8. John Grisham I can’t change overnight into a serious literary author. You can’t compare apples to oranges. William Faulkner was a great literary genius. I am not. 9. Dorothy Parker I fell into writing, I suppose, being one of those awful children who wrote verses. I went to a convent in New York- the Blessed Sacrament†¦Ã‚  I was fired from there, finally, for a lot of things, among them my insistence that the Immaculate Conception was spontaneous combustion. - in  The Paris Review, 1956 10. And the self-deprecating author who took it to the highest extreme? Thatd have to be Gary Shteyngart, who created a five minute parody of himself to promote his book Super Sad True Love Story: He really wants to cash in on this whole Hollywood vampire thing, but with werewolves But theyre not wolves, theyre bears. Werebears. Images and quotes courtesy of Flavorwire.

Knowledge Management in Public Sector Organizations The WritePass Journal

Knowledge Management in Public Sector Organizations Knowledge Management in Public Sector Organizations Introduction Knowledge Management and the Education in the Agricultural Sector UK government increased ICT expenditure for the next three years Conclusion ReferencesRelated Introduction Knowledge itself is an abstract concept but its application can be seen in every walk of life. Knowledge and innovation go hand in hand and together they generate success for the development of any society. Knowledge accumulation creates value and it is this wealth which has transformed the agrarian societies into industrialized nations (Milner, 2000). Knowledge gives a competitive edge to companies as it is one of the most useful resources that they possess. However in this fast pace world one has to cope with the changing needs of the environment and utilize the knowledge in the most efficient manner in order to extract its full potential. Moreover the rapid pace of technology has facilitated this entire process and Internet has changed the landscape of business environments. Today’s economies are knowledge based economies (Emrich, 2005). Peter Drucker said, â€Å"The Purpose of management is the productivity of knowledge† (Kelly, 2004) There are various definitions of knowledge management, however to put it simple it is the management process within the organization that deals with the collection, organization and sharing of knowledge in the enterprise which is then integrated, evaluated and developed and distributed to all the other parts of the organization. Knowledge management has become an integral part of managerial activity as it helps to take right decisions at the right time with the real information in hand. This information is then provided to all the members of the organization (Gurrieri, 2008). In other words this knowledge is transferred to other products and services of the company which helps in value creation. This also helps in giving an enterprise a strategic edge over other firms. Knowledge management on the whole is not just confined to information technology only but it covers all the aspects such as the employees, the processes and the workflow, which means that knowledge management doesnâ₠¬â„¢t have to be limited to information technology though there is no doubt that technology plays an integral role in the KM but our focus of this paper is going to be on the aspect of technology and knowledge management in the public sector firms particularly our focus is going to be on the education sector here (Hetland et al, 2007). The distribution of tasks among the knowledge management dimensions Source: (Milner, 2000) Information technology and knowledge management in the Public Sector The way we access the information has now changed due to which the relevance of knowledge management has increased over the period of time. Therefore all the firms including the public sector organizations through the aid of knowledge workers are investing more in technology in order to make use of newer applications to increase productivity, accountability and transparency in order to increase the level of efficiency and to improvise the entire process of public sector reforms. Government sector organizations are knowledge based due to which this area of study is of so much importance to them. They need its application at the local regional and national level (Milner, 2000). When we talk about technology and management together, this means that data warehousing is an essential element of the KM. there are several software’s that are used to assimilate the information and distribute it among the various organs of the firm such as document management systems, e learning tools, objected oriented databases, artificial intelligence, real time access to a firms data base, enterprise information portals (ERP). These and several other IT programs tend to be effective tools for the management of the information without which work is not possible. The public sector organizations have also entered into this digital age of electronic means especially after the advent of policies like the ICT (Kelly, 2004).The public sector therefore fulfills its responsibility by recruiting the best people for the development of knowledge, growth and learning because it has to accomplish the following goals: Knowledge development and provide information unlike the private sector Promote knowledge for every one Quality Management efficiency The structure of the government matters in this context because as the government has to take care of the intellectual rights Knowledge Kiosks (Watts and Lloyd, 2004) The analytical knowledge management framework (Steyn and Kahn, 2008) The above diagram shows various elements of the knowledge management. It is an integration of people, processes, technology which together create value. In the government sector knowledge gets dispersed because governments are segmented by state and local level. Other than that as per the government policy the government keeps on changing due to which the current government gets to learn from the previous one, this gives an opportunity to the government to every time learn from its experiences and improve its system through good governance (Slabbert, 2004). Knowledge management in the government sector paves the way for incorporating the electronic means into the government sector. The ICT infrastructure helps the government to achieve its goals and to educate the citizens of the country to have access to quality information which they can utilize and also they themselves can bring value to the nation through knowledge sharing (Beal and Thomas, 2004). The public sector organizations depends more on people based approach but to do so they have to come up with an appropriate framework for knowledge management. Moreover it has been seen that the level of accountability is stricter in the public sector organizations as compared to the private sector but studies have shown that the public sector organizations have been slow in terms of adaptability relative to private sector (Alleman, 1992). This is owing to the lack of awareness, rigid policies, people are not willing to share because they don’t see much incentive in doing so and also people on the public sector are less resistant to change. The entire set up is based on bureaucracy and the goal is not profit maximization. People working in the domain of public sector are more inclined towards the national interest and they are not self centered as they put their personal interest secondary. The public sector organizations face constant competition from the private sector, NGOà ¢â‚¬â„¢s, the government of other countries, All these reasons justify as to why the models for the knowledge management are taken from the public sector unlike the private sector where the culture, the interest, perception and everything differs. However the traditional approach of the public sector sometimes becomes a hurdle in the development of knowledge (Burr and Girardi, 2003). Every firm has its own set of requirements and based on them they create their model of knowledge management and technology is always changing so the public sector firms also adopt different technological infrastructure based on their requirements. There are a collection of technologies that are used in the process which together constitute the software. The reason why these firms spend so much on this software’s is because they need up to date information for better decision making. Government sector tries to incorporate IT into their solutions for better performance. Knowledge Management and the Education in the Agricultural Sector Generally the concept of knowledge management can be applied in all government sectors such as education, transportation, health care and so on. However, this paper will be focusing mainly on the education sector which can be uplifted and further developed by the knowledge management strategies. Education is by all means one of the most significant sectors of a countries economy. It is the back bone of the nation which paves the way for the future growth and development. Therefore this sector is given utmost importance because its development is the nation’s development (Cook et al, 2004). We will take into consideration the education of the agricultural sector of the country through knowledge management systems. There are many ways to achieve this like research into innovative ways to develop the sector and the development of the learning programmes for the all the stakeholders for better yield and growth. This can be done in a number of ways as follows: The systems can be used to do an assessment of the human resource of the business. Human resource is the life blood of the business therefore their input plays a crucial role for the development of the sector. The management systems can be used to facilitate agricultural sector through the deployment of case studies and various tools relevant to the agricultural education. The sharing of the knowledge and the use of newer techniques and methods among the communities The private sector can also help the public sector in meeting their goals through the induction of their systems and technologies. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has facilitated all the sectors. Similarly it can be used to impart agricultural information to employ newer software’s and implementation of newer systems to navigate the progress and learning (Watts and Lloyd, 2004). Open and Distance learning is an effective tool which can be used by the agricultural sector to enhance their learning and can be used for the development of the professionals in the field. Knowledge sharing systems can also be used to manage the work and distribute the knowledge among the stakeholders (Vilma, 2008). Technology has advanced so much that it is on the sector and the expertise of the knowledge workers that are employed to make use of the variant opportunities and their knowledge to develop and upgrade systems which are able to meet the standards because there is no end to innovation and more and more learning tools and techniques can be employed with the passage of time for growth and development (Torgerson and Elbourne, 2002). UK government increased ICT expenditure for the next three years Those governments which have been valuing the concept of knowledge management will also reap benefits out of it. The UK government in the year 2008 increased their budget for the ICT to an amount of 2.9 billion pounds. The idea was to give a further boost to the education sector by utilizing the technology and improve governmental performance and strengthen the education sector of the country (Tearle, 2004).The main motives behind such a move were as follows: Better coordination with the parents through online facilities Newer learning methodologies for the improvement of the curriculum Enhance the resources available to the sector and increased participation This would also improve the performance of the educational sector through better monitoring and control However in both the cases that is agriculture and the education sector of UK, the government takes all these measures then it has to look into the training of the staff because people need to be equipped with newer software’s and technologies and they need to be well versed in that in order to use it effectively (Tearle, 2004). By doing so the government also raises the opportunities and market for the firms in the private sector because then firms such as Microsoft and open source firms try to get into the market by being the supplier of technology to the sector, hence it creates employment and development of both private and public sector (John, 2002). There are many specialized firms in the market which are willing to provide assistance to the government’s public sector initiatives through their advance systems. Companies such as Informa, it is specialized in providing advanced knowledge and services to the public sector. They have services such as data monitor, Informa Economics and Agra for the agricultural sector. The company has clients worldwide including governments and other corporate sector businesses such as Pfizer and EU and WTO. Hence the government has an opportunity to make use of external sources to improve their knowledge based systems in the sector (Paolo, 2010). Innovations in the education sector mean the achievement of high standard of education. These are the performance measures used by the government. The role of knowledge management is to look for newer ways to develop the different institutions of the sector. Education gives a competitive advantage to a nation. This is why all the organizations are systemically looking for newer ways to achieve excellence. Through the use of knowledge management the universities will be able to retain more students and it will also help them in the research process. Knowledge management helps in the strategic management process (Polkinghorn,1992). The government can make use of web based systems in which it can collect the grants from the donors. However those donors need information in order to make effective decisions and this is where knowledge management plays an important role as it helps the donors to decide and then function. It can be used to share information among grant makers. The organization can also make knowledge management systems and form a network in which they can share their problems and have person to person connections with one another for better understanding (John, ,2002). There can be issues in the knowledge management because The culture does not support knowledge management Lack of funds for knowledge management Lack of training Uncoordinated knowledge management roles Inability of senior management to incorporate newer measures and look for opportunities Lack of competence of the firm to measure financial benefits (Steyn and Kahn, 2008). Conclusion The concept of knowledge management is not new to the government. The government has significant opportunities it and the related informational technology opportunities associated with it. However it is on the ability of the government that how well they able to integrate this concept into the organizational culture of the firm and promote knowledge management which will further help them to grow and achieve competency (Emma et al, 2005). Private and public sector firms have some form of similarity in developing a framework for knowledge management but the public sector organization needs to be more careful as it has stricter regulatory practices. References Alleman, J. (1992), Empowerment of Employees Private Sector Models in Public Education, Labor Law Journal, 43 (8), p477. Beal, B.D. and Thomas, D.E. (2004), Strategic Options for Managing Intellectual Asset Flows in the Information Sector, Journal of Managerial Issues, 16 (4), p442-459. Burr, R. and Girardi, A. (2003), The influence of social context factors on perceptions of procedural justice in the public sector, Australian Journal of Psychology, 55, p117-117. Cook, S., Macaulay, S. and Coldicott, H. (2004), Change Management Excellence: Using the Four Intelligences for Successful Organizational Change, Kogan Page. Emma, P., Clare, K., Tim, M. and Shaun, T. (2005), Comparing HRM in the voluntary and public sectors, Personnel Review, 34 (5) p588-602. Emrich, A.B. (2005), Start Knowledge Revolution Now. (cover story), Grand Rapids Business Journal, 23 (49), p1-8. Gurrieri, A.R. (2008), Knowledge network dissemination in a family-firm sector, Journal of Socio-Economics, 37 (6), p2380-2389. Hetland, H., Sandal, G.M. and Johnsen, T.B. (2007), Burnout in the information technology sector: Does leadership matter?, European Journal of Work Organizational Psychology, 16 (1), p58-75. John, O., (2002), Wiring Governments: Challenges and Possibilities for Public Managers, Praeger. Kelly, A. (2004), The Intellectual Capital of Schools: Measuring and Managing Knowledge, Responsibility and Reward: Lessons from the Commercial Sector, 1 edition, Springer. Milner, E. (2000), Managing Information and Knowledge in the Public Sector, 1 edition, Routledge. Polkinghorn J.R. (1992), Accelerating At-Risk Students, Journal of Labor Research, 3 (1), p11. Slabbert, A.D. (2004), Conflict management styles in traditional organizations, Social Science Journal, 41 (1), p83. Steyn, C. and Kahn, M. (2008), Towards the development of a knowledge management practices survey for application in knowledge intensive organizations, South African Journal of Business Management, 39 (1) p45-53. Paolo, B. (2010), ICT for education projects, Information Technology for Development, 16 (3) p232-239. Tearle, P. (2004), A theoretical and instrumental framework for implementing change in ICT in education, Cambridge Journal of Education, 34 (3), p331-351. Torgerson, C.J. and Elbourne, D. (2002), A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of information and communication technology (ICT) on the teaching of spelling, Journal of Research in Reading, 25 (2), p129. Vilma, L. (2008), Sector reputation and public organizations, International Journal of Public Sector Management, 21 (5) p446-467. Watts, M. and Lloyd, C. (2004), Original article The use of innovative ICT in the active pursuit of literacy, Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 20 (1), p50-58.

Implications of Differences in National Culture for International Assignment

Implications of Differences in National Culture for International Business - Assignment Example Due to the tight spot that is progressively afflicting the large global companies, international business ethics has ascended to facilitate in attending to these oppressive subject issues. International business ethics makes an effort to contend with inquiries of what to accomplish in circumstances where ethical morals are scrapped and become at odds in consequence of different and, oftentimes, opposing cultural practices. Negotiations in the international business platform can be deliberated from a wide or a restricted sense: negotiations in a wide sense comprise nearly all, if not all, forms of "consultation, communication, discussion, exchanging of views, reaching a consensus, and formal negotiations" (Chang, 2006). Those which are in a restricted sense comprise the undertakings that are accomplished in locations that are openly or officially arranged for negotiations (Chang, 2006). The academic sphere of discussions gained differing stance towards the relationship between culture s and the manners of negotiations. A few people are certain about the fact that negotiations have turned out to be a collective and shared behavior, and notwithstanding the cultural upbringings of those involved in the negotiations, and in the international business in general, the manner of negotiations is achieved inside the pre-set structure. Nevertheless, there are still those who are positive about the fact that negotiations in different nations are divergent from each other in that they manifest manifold and, more often, conflicting forms, and are basically diverse. To a wide-ranging expanse, varying cultural backgrounds result in varying kinds of organizations. This relationship is not complete and conclusive, nonetheless, and labeling, categorizing should be evaded (Liu, 1996). To appreciate the influence of national cultural difference on multinational business and negotiations, as well as in terms of the decision making process, a multi-cultural study and the varying natio nal cultural strengths and weaknesses can be employed in order to project a differing countries’ potential behaviours in negotiation process, and to recognize the cultural factors that may impact the decision making process (Chang, 2006). It is normally considered that multicultural investigations are concentrated on particular occurrences and deliberate the parallels and differences among countries. While this type of investigation may have limited potential in terms of the selected nations or particular behaviors on international business negotiations, it remains to hold a considerable importance in terms of facilitating individuals to understand business negotiations in a global perspective considering that it touches on different values, behaviors, and decision-making models of individuals coming from different nations (Ghemawat & Reiche, 2011). For instance, China and the United States have absolutely varying styles in carrying out a negotiation owing to: (1) Americans h ave diverse personalities in so far as the geographical divisions of Americans are concerned: â€Å"southern, eastern, and western regions are like different worlds† (Chang, 2006), as compared to (2) China’s extremely analogous, communism-inspired personality traits. National Cultural Differences and International Business Negotiations Regardless of the nature of the discussion of the personality traits as influenced by one's national culture, it is quite thought-provoking and challenging to profoundly comprehend and figure out international business negotiations considering that it involves manifold complex factors.